A cozy, cheesy bake made with seasoned ground beef, vegetables, tomato sauce, and bubbling cheese—perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
1 lb lean ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 carrot, diced or shredded
1 zucchini, diced
1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
½ cup peas or chopped green beans (optional)
1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups cooked pasta or 1 ½ cups cooked rice (optional)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella
¼ cup grated Parmesan
1 tbsp olive oil
Fresh parsley for garnish
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onion until soft. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
Stir in carrots, zucchini, corn, and peas. Cook for 5–7 minutes.
Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and seasoning. Simmer 10 minutes.
(Optional) Stir in cooked pasta or rice.
Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13 baking dish.
Top with cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Rest 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley.
Swap beef for turkey or lentils for variation.
Add chili flakes or jalapeños for spice.
Store leftovers in fridge up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.